BK10 - Defects?

[Magus]

Got a BK10 a while back to add to the rest of the Becker collection.

As per usual, I strip my blades.

Prior to stripping the BK10 I noticed what I felt were a few tooling marks along the face of the tang on each side. No biggie I felt. After stripping though, it became far more apparent how many of these marks there were. Sorta like train tracks running down the tang. It's worse on the left side than the right. There is some depth to the marks, enough that you can feel it when you run your fingernail along them. But they're no where near as deep as let's say the tang stamps on the older Beckers.

Pics are below. Now as ugly as it might look, I don't think it's cause for concern. I don't think these marks could compromise the strength of the tang given they appear to me to be more or less cosmetic....but someone can correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Given I've stripped it I know a replacement is out of the question...and honestly I don't think it's needed unless the powers that be think there's cause for concern here.

Main question is....what would've caused these marks at the factory? Thanks to all for any info you can provide.



Left side

Right side

 

[Bladite]

well, i'm sure we can get Toooj to step in (it) and tell us, maybe it's a claim/vise marks from sharpening?

worst case, it could also be residual left overs from raw bar stock, and end perhaps. it's possible it was full length, but they were ground off.

on the handle, it's completely unlikely to be a cause for worry.

 

[TwinStick]

My money says some type of roller to push it along the line or oven ??? Just a guess. I'd say no cause for concern, just cosmetic. Others with more knowledge than me will chime in soon.

 

[Magus]

well, i'm sure we can get Toooj to step in (it) and tell us, maybe it's a claim/vise marks from sharpening?

worst case, it could also be residual left overs from raw bar stock, and end perhaps. it's possible it was full length, but they were ground off.

on the handle, it's completely unlikely to be a cause for worry.

I think you're on to something with vise marks Bladite. That's sorta what I was thinking they look like. Hoping Toooj will chime in.

Given the "ugly" will be under the scales, can't say I care much. I plan on using the blade.

 

[Guyon]

Spray the tang with some clear poly in a can so the rust won't take hold under the scales. Beat it like a red-headed step child.

 

[Psyop]

A lot of my Beckers have marks under the handles. Toooj said something about a roller type machine and that it is just cosmetic. It wont hurt a thing. Also I have never heard of Kabar refusing to replace a broken Becker. Now they probably wont send you a new one because you don't like the marks under the handle but that's different lol.

 

[amflud]

I don't own any Beckers, but all of the stripped Bussekin knives I've owned have similar marks. I don't see any reason to be concerned.

 

[DJG097]

From an old thread.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...y-Come-on!/page4?highlight=Marks+under+handle

 

[Magus]

A lot of my Beckers have marks under the handles. Toooj said something about a roller type machine and that it is just cosmetic. It wont hurt a thing. Also I have never heard of Kabar refusing to replace a broken Becker. Now they probably wont send you a new one because you don't like the marks under the handle but that's different lol.

Not looking for a replacement. Don't care that she's a little ugly under her dress...lol! Was just more curious how the marks get there in first place. I own several Beckers and this was the first of them I've seen like this.

 

[Magus]

From an old thread.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...y-Come-on!/page4?highlight=Marks+under+handle

Thanks for this link. I think this likely solves the mystery and it's what I was thinking in the first place that these marks are a result of a straightening process. I could care less if it's not pretty, just as long as the knife is durable....and it is! Thanks everyone, I think we can let this one go. Was my own curiosity. I'm off this weekend to beat the tar out of this BK10.

 

[BuckeyeGuy]

I had no idea that stripping a blade voids the warranty. Is it believed that stripping it somehow diminishes the integrity of the blade and would be more likely to cause it to fail?

 

[TwinStick]

No. The coating is there for a reason, to prevent rust is my guess. By removing it, you increase the chance that it will rust & cause damage down the road that will NOT be covered by warranty. Like stripped blades but HATE rust ??? Two words is all you need to know: Fluid Film. Magic in a can, seriously. Use your google-Fu. Educate yourself.

 

[Guyon]

Given I've stripped it I know a replacement is out of the question...and honestly I don't think it's needed unless the powers that be think there's cause for concern here.

I had no idea that stripping a blade voids the warranty. Is it believed that stripping it somehow diminishes the integrity of the blade and would be more likely to cause it to fail?

There's a logical disconnect in going from the first quotation to the second. All the OP meant is that he could not readily exchange the blade for a new one because he stripped it. Ka-Bar warranty still applies to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Ethan Becker]

Hey everybody....

I suspect that KA-Bar will honor any structural defect related warranty problems....Obviously the more mods done the less likely the warranty applies...... Try souping the engine on a brand spanking new Corvette and then talking GM into replacing the motor when it blows up....... KA-Bar is damn forgiving, methinks, and always tries to work with the customer...... Just food for thought......

E

 

[LeonJ]

There's a huge difference between stripping the paint (cosmetic), and grinding/modifying the stock. The paint will wear off eventually if you use the knife, you can use the knife lightly for 5 years and wear off all the paint before you decide that you need to chop a limb off a tree and have the blade break on you due to microscopic cracks in the stock that weren't obvious before.

Anyone who is willing to strip their blades should also be aware of the maintenance needed afterwards, this might be a cause for not taking the knife in under warranty if someone's stripped it and then used it near salt water without wiping it down and applying oil afterwards.

As to the OP, he's already been answered and the rest to come up now is mainly pointless.

 

[Magus]

Hey everybody....

I suspect that KA-Bar will honor any structural defect related warranty problems....Obviously the more mods done the less likely the warranty applies...... Try souping the engine on a brand spanking new Corvette and then talking GM into replacing the motor when it blows up....... KA-Bar is damn forgiving, methinks, and always tries to work with the customer...... Just food for thought......

E

Thanks for the insight Uncle Ethan. That's certainly something we can all keep in mind about our mods and the KA-Bar warranty in the future.

In my case though, while my 10 may be a bit ugly under the scales the marks are just cosmetic. I think even if this knife was nuked from orbit it would probably survive.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

Spray the tang with some clear poly in a can so the rust won't take hold under the scales. Beat it like a red-headed step child.

Hey Guyon....can you elaborate on this? I'd like to totally strip my BK's, but have been leaving the paint on underneath the handles to avoid having to take the scales off to oil the tang.

Thanks